Tuesday, November 06, 2007

NaBloPoMo Day Six - A Horse is a Horse

One of the things that appealed to me when we bought our land was the pasture across the road. We noticed a pretty horse and his shaggy pony companion (whom I haven't seen in a few weeks) peacefully grazing there, making for a picturesque "country scene." As we've been building our house, the horse has taken up the task of supervising our workers:He will stand there for long periods of time, just looking. It's probably the most excitement he's had in his horse life (unless he's a gelding). I feel like he's keeping watch over the place. When The Offspring and I drive by in the evenings, she has to stop and pet his nose over the barbed-wire fence. One night, Amber and I went to the house site, just as it was getting dark. She was sitting in the window of her room, and I was talking to a friend. We couldn't see the pasture, and just then, Horsie let out a horse-sound. It wasn't a whinnie (sp?) or a neigh - but that strawberry-lips sound that horses make (someone educate me, here). I thought Amber was going to fall out of the window - it startled her so much! Evidently, the horse was in 'his spot,' watching.A few days ago, I drove by the house site, and noticed the horse was waaaaay off on the other side of his pasture. As I got out of my car and took a few photos of the front of the house, I heard this sound. It was the frantic hoofbeats of Horsie, racing to the fence. He didn't want to miss a nose-petting! Just as I was turning around, he was RIGHT THERE:AACCKK! Okay, I'm not a big country girl. And he was all up in my face! I didn't have Amber to distract him, so I gingerly walked up and carefully patted his nose. This was a HUGE step for me. I am not sure why The Offspring is so at ease with large animals, and her mother is a wimp. Horsie seemed satisfied with his patting and didn't bite my hand, but you can be sure I'm not going out there again without Amber!

I would love to have a pasture with a couple of horses. Being a city girl too, there is something about the smell of country air and the fresh smell of hay, that's really refreshing to me. Not to mention I love riding horses.

AWW he is so cute! I want to pet his nose. He sounds like he is gentle don't be afraid. I hope you overcome that fear. I think is is just too sweet that he ran to say hello and not miss out! I bet Jenni(in KS) could tell you the proper name for that sound...bray doesn't sound quite right but I don't know horses.

desert songbird - but to be fair, m@ has an animal mind, which means it is only as big as a pea.

joy t. - I need to find out his real name, b/c he may not like me calling him Horsie...and THEN he will ATTACK!

bermudabluez - thanks for understanding! He's...just...so...big!

chrisb - I had to google polo mints - I'm not sure they sell them here! And then, I'll worry he's a diabetic, like the horse in "Half Baked."

sandy - I still can't figure out how to get these in America - are they like the minty life-savers?

bond - Oooh! Yeah! The squishy guts sound! Forgot about that! And I'm not sure it is a bray...this is like...I dunno...a raspberry??

christine - It IS a peaceful scenario...and I'm real glad I can't smell any horse poop.

claudia - yeah, but looks can be deceiving.

junebug - I spoke to the horse's owner today - and found out that the shaggy pony got eaten by a bear. No lie. They are thinking of getting the horse another (faster) companion. So, maybe he is lonely.

kaytabug - I found out his name is "Rocky" - so maybe that will help endear me to him. And those are ribs, but he is well-fed. He may be in mourning for his pony friend.

melissa - HA! Or maybe the "Horse Whisperer?" When he gets too close, I'll stab him in the neck and go "TCHHHHT!!!"

Ah, don't be skeered of dem horsies. There are tons of them around where we live now. When I slow down and roll down my window to take their pictures, they turn and run over to the fence to see me. They want someone to pay attention to them. Even the cows come over sometimes when I stop to take pictures. Even horses know a hottie when they see one. They want you to show them some love.

so cute. my brother says he wants a pair of horse muzzle underwear since they're so soft. i dont think he has any, otherwise he'd quit talking about it. umm. let's see... oh yes, if you want to feed said horse (but dont get started if you dont want to keep feeding forever) a baby carrot or small slice of apple on an open palm (tuck all your fingers together so its ALL COMPLETELY FLAT-- as if you're trying to balance a tiny egg-- and put the treat right in the middle of your palm and right underneath the mouth. they'll "lip" it up, they shouldnt be able to bite unless you have a finger out of place or dont have your hand far enough in, their lips are too big. umm and the strawberry sound is the horse clearing his nostrils. believe me you dont want to get in the way. i've been covered with enough green slime to know!

they will also eat your banana peels and watermelon rind, but i would check with the neighbors before doing too much feeding. a spare baby carrot wont hurt but a bucket full of rind may be a bit too much. According to http://www.horsepresence.com/shop/SoundsHome.html the strawberry sound is a bluster. i just call it plllbt.

lil mouse (jill) - thanks for the tips! I probably WILL feed him now - I found out that he is pretty old, and so I'm gonna help him out. A BLUSTER! Love that name! I feel all-knowing, now! Thanks so much!